Rapid rise of RI ladies

12:16pm Saturday 3rd November 2007

A BREAKING run, a jink, a step and winger Ruth Laybourn was through - outpacing the floundering Preston Grasshoppers defence to touch down for five precious points.

A tremendous try, it opened the floodgates, as York Railway Institute Ladies turned strong runs and good possession into points, dominating their opponent's big pack to record their first win of the season.

For the New Lane girls, it was about more than just the victory. It proved they could cut it in the top levels of Championship 2 North Women's Rugby.

Since their formation just four years ago, York RI Ladies' ascent has been little short of stunning. While the boys have struggled over the past couple of years, the girls have gone from strength to strength.

Having started out with a few friendlies, RI only joined the league set-up in 2004. They found it a struggle at first, finishing second bottom in their first North East 3 sortie.

But as word of mouth spread, and more women turned up eager to play rugby union, the club's fortunes transformed.

RI Ladies were promoted the very next season and, in April, they were crowned champions of North 2.

Now after a 21-5 win over Preston fired the club's opening salvo in women's rugby's higher echelon, following two defeats to Sheffield and league leaders Altrincham Kersal, RI Ladies are confident they can hold their own.

"We've had quite a rapid rise," said Laura Nellist, York RI Ladies' press and publicity officer. "As a side, we struggled for numbers early on and now we are getting quite a few down at Wednesday night training. At the beginning we sometimes had to play ten or 12-a-side games because we didn't have enough players."

Nellist has been around since the beginning, when the club was formed by a couple of former university players who had stayed in the city and wanted to continue rucking, mauling and scrummaging.

Under coach Andy Watson, RI Ladies are now hoping their squad is strong enough to survive in the pressure cooker of life in Championship 2 North.

"It's a learning experience," Nellist added. "Hopefully we can stay in this league, avoid being relegated, and try to build for next season. It has to be a season of consolidation.

"I am surprised at how rapidly we have risen through the ranks. I don't think anyone could have thought we could have moved upwards so quickly.

"It will be a hard season. It's a hard sport and, for some of the games, you have to travel for quite a few hours. We are now affiliated with York RI and they have given us a lot of support."

So is there a sibling rivalry between the men's and women's outfits? "We've been showing the boys how to do it," joked Nellist, referring to the struggles the senior first team have endured in recent months.

"It was absolutely brilliant when they won (beating Wath on Dearne last month for their first league win in 27 games)."

Aside from league matters, RI Ladies will also play host to an RAF ladies team at New Lane on November 18. Last year, they lost 25-0 but Nellist feels the side might make more of a fight of it this time.

"We thought we would be playing a local team and then we learned they had flown in from Cyprus," she said. "I think we played quite well to be at 25-0. We're certainly looking forward to it this time. It's quite a big event for us."

Nellist says the club are still on the lookout for new players. Experience is not required. Many members had never played rugby union before turning up and newcomers can be assured of a course in the basics.

Training takes place at New Lane every Wednesday between 7.15pm and 9pm.